Overwatch Report

Irish Development Education Association

September–December

[Education and Training] Completed a questionnaire on matters relating to development of a new department Statement of Strategy. Called for high strategic prioritisation and adequate funding for the forthcoming strategy for Education for Sustainable Development.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

St Michael's House Group

September–December

[Health] St. Michael's House responded on Social Media platforms to the announcement of an additional €10 million nationally for disability services by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD in October 2020. It was less than 10% of the requested budget required nationally. St.Michael's House lobbied DPO's online for recognition and reconciliation for Inadequate Budget for service delivery for National Disability Sector and for the bud

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ivana Bacik', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Roderic O'Gorman", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Richard Boyd Barrett', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 10 more

The Irish Traveller Movement

September–December

[Justice and Equality] Traveller Accommodation - . Lack of adequate supply. Establishment of Oireachtas Committee. Meetings on programme areas.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Senators', 'role': 'Traveller accommodation Seanad debate'} {'name': 'Eileen Flynn', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Rebecca Moynihan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Fintan Warfield', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 24 more

Environmental Pillar

September–December

[Environment] Shared the Environmental Pillar's position on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020, advocating for numerous fundamental amendments in order to ensure systemic change across society and provide an adequate framework to progressively reduce harmful emissions in accordance with national and international obligations.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Richard Bruton', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Farrell', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Réada Cronin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Cormac Devlin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Darren O'Rourke", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 8 more

Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

September–December

[Finance] Pre Budget meeting to secure adequate provosion for older people reliant on State Pension.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Environmental Network

September–December

[Environment] Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020: Highlighted issues with regard to public participation in respect of the Aarhus Convention to members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, citing need for adequate timeframes and the need to hear from a range of expert witnesses as part of the pre-legislative scrutiny process; suggested topics to cover in support of the Aarhus Convention.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Victor Boyhan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Pauline O'Reilly", 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Bríd Smith', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Whitmore', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Brian Leddin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alice-Mary Higgins', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 9 more

Irish Congress of Trade Unions

September–December

[EU Affairs] Request for meeting sent to all MEPs regarding Draft Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Barry Andrews', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Luke "Ming" Flanagan', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Deirdre Clune', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Seán Kelly', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Ciarán Cuffe', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} {'name': 'Frances Fitzgerald', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'} + 7 more

Age Action

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Budget 2021 priorities issues for Age Action -the creation of an office for a Commissioner on Ageing, a new National Digital Strategy with adequate supports for continuous learning, pension adequacy and reform, a digital allowance, rights based statutory home care scheme, commencement of the Assisted Decision Making Act and funding to fully operate the Decision Support Service

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Helen McEntee', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Justice)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': "Darragh O'Brien", 'role': 'Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)'} {'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

September–December

[Health] Meeting request to discuss objectives & outcomes for Mental Health of Youth at Third Level. Concern that services & supports for those young people at 3rd level with enduring mental illness such as moderate-severe depression, eating disorders, & schizophrenia & those living with personality disorders & neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism & ADHD will not be adequately developed without a certain percentage of the 5m euro provided.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)'}

Sisters of Mercy

January–April

[Housing] The provision of adequate housing in Co Clare

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Bill Chambers', 'role': 'Councillor (Clare County Council)'}

Fórsa trade union

January–April

[Employment] Campaigning for the implementation of a 2008 Labour Court recommendation states an agreed pension scheme should be introduced and adequately funded by the recognised funding agency.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

January–April

[Social Protection] Adequate resourcing of North Munster MABS

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Down Syndrome Ireland

January–April

[Education and Training] Please Don't Leave us Behind Education campaign. The campaign is two fold - DSI is calling on the Government to adequately resource and roll out a national training programme for teachers in mainstream schools and calling for July Provision for all children with Down syndrome in mainstream education settings.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Down Syndrome Ireland, parents and children with Down syndrome spoke at a briefing in Leinster House in front of TDs and Senators hosted by Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth and Spokesperson on Disability Margaret Murphy O’Mahony asking ‘Please don’t leave us behind’ in Down Syndrome Ireland's campaign to ensure full inclusion in our nation’s classrooms.\nThe call came after Teachers’ Unions the ASTI and TUI advised their members to stop implementing individualised education plans for students with additional needs, such as those with Down syndrome, due to a lack of funding and adequate training provided to their members. \nDSI is also calling for the July Provision programme, which provides funding to extend the school year for children with certain special needs, to be extended to all children with Down syndrome. DSI estimates that extending the programme to all children with Down syndrome would cost just €1m a year."} {'name': 'Aindrias Moynihan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Anne Rabbitte', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Bobby Aylward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Catherine Connolly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 33 more

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ALLIANCE - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND LIMITED

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] Report Card 2019 seeking reforms in relation to education, health, equality, early years, adequate standard of living and child protection

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Mass email sent to all Oireachtas members with Report Card'} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Report Card sent to all Oireachtas Members with letters. Letters tailored for specific Ministers outlining key recommendations to be implemented.'}

National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education

May–August

[Education and Training] Provision of adequate staff training in special education

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Dalton Tattan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education

May–August

[Education and Training] Provision of adequate school buildings for special school and classes

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'} {'name': 'Dalton Tattan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Budgetary matters] The Wheel attended the National Economic Dialogue and called on Government to ensure adequate multi-annual funding for services provided by cv organisations in budget 2020, and to ensure action to bring down the cost of insurance

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Leo Varadkar', 'role': 'Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'Edward Brophy', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} {'name': 'John McCarthy', 'role': 'Chief Economist (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'John Hogan', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Ronnie Downes', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'} + 2 more

The Wheel

May–August

[Community] The Wheel met Minister Michael Ring at the launch of the 5-Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector and encouraged the Minister to ensure that the strategy is adequately resourced in Budget 2020

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Michael Ring', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

National Principals' Forum

September–December

[Education and Training] Raising awareness of the issues maligning the Primary Education system, particularly the unsustainable pressures on Principal teachers and also the inadequate provisions and funding for meeting the needs of pupils with Special Education Needs in our schools.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': "Budget 2020 Lobby Campaign material was emailed to Principal teachers to lobby their local representatives. This information and also our research results were emailed to Minister McHugh, TD'S, Senators and also all education stakeholders and representative bodies. It was also sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills."} {'name': 'Joe McHugh', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Fórsa trade union

September–December

[Heritage] Raising awareness of the Fórsa Archivists' Branch report on the management of the national archives and seeking to draw the Ministers of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform; and Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltachts' attention to the reports recommendations. This Includes an increase in staffing; the completion of the archive respository project; the provision of adequate staff and resources to facilitate implementation of the 20 year rule and reform of the National Archives Act 198

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Josepha Madigan', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)'} {'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)'}

Age Action

September–December

[Health] Importance of investing in both home supports and adequate awareness raising on forthcoming Assisted Decision Making legislation.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Colm Desmond', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Health)'}

Clare Youth Service

January–April

[Children and Youth Affairs] A request for either the adequate resources to meet the increasing compliance requirements or a reduction in these requirements. An increase in the resources for the Youth Work Sector. Provision of security of funding to enable the Community and Voluntary sector retain skilled and qualified staff and therefore continue to deliver quality responses to identified needs.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Pat Breen', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Michael Harty', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Joe Carey', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

The Wheel

May–August

[Education and Training] It is important that the training and education requirements of community and voluntary sector employers and employees are adequately provided for through the National Training Fund. To ensure this, The Wheel has been in contact with William Beausang, Assistant Secretary, Department of Education, leading the current review of the National Training Fund.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'William Beausang', 'role': 'Assistant Secretary (Department of Education and Skills)'}

Ballyhoura Development CLG

September–December

[Employment] The concerns of the Board members of Ballyhoura Development CLG with regard to the lack of adequate supports and inconsistences between Departments when scaling down state funded schemes delivered through Ballyhoura Development CLG.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': "Patrick O'Donovan", 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)'}

College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

September–December

[Health] Request for PQs as follows: 1.What report/ data provides the evidence of a ‘worldwide’ shortage of Psychiatrists? What do the ‘worldwide’ reports recommend to tackle the shortage? 2.When is the HSE service plan due & what is contributing to the delay? Will it include initiatives to improve recruitment & retention in MHS particularly. Will it give adequate detail for MHS both in community & hospitals including measurable ‘outcomes' not just PI.s given there is no MH Director or Division

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed

September–December

[Social Protection] As part of the EAPN Ireland's project of Access to Adequate Social Welfare Support (Minimum Income Network), the INOU met with members of the Oireachtas to discuss the bench marking of social welfare rates.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gerald Nash', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': "Willie O'Dea", 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Multiple Sclerosis Ireland

September–December

[Health] Inadequate access to physiotherapy room in Wexford Primary Care Centre.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Brown (Currently employed as a DPO)', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Rural Link Co-Operative Society Limited

September–December

[Budgetary matters] Information Day in Buswells to brief members of oireachtas in attendance on the services IRL and community groups provide in rural areas. As this took place before the annual Budget, they were briefed on the challenges community groups face with regards lack of adequate funding and resources

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'James Browne', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Pat the Cope Gallagher', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Jim Daly', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Denis Naughten', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)'} {'name': 'Jackie Cahill', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 31 more

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

January–April

[EU Affairs] Email to Irish LIBE Memeber re: Adoption of IHRA flawed and politicised Definiton of Antisemitism that seeks to equate criticism of the State of Israel with antisemitism

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martina Anderson', 'role': 'MEP (European Parliament)'}

EQUATE

January–April

[Education and Training] Seminar on education policy, a submission to the Department of Education and Skills public consultation, information on newly released census statistics, newly published EQUATE research

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'An email explaining what had happened at a seminar EQUATE held that day with the Minister for Education and Skills'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'A copy of a joint submission that EQUATE along with other groups submitted to the Department of Education and Skills public consultation on admission policy'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Copy of a press release EQUATE released outlining our reaction to the Census 2016 figures.'} {'name': 'Conor Quinn', 'role': 'Special Advisor (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)'} {'name': 'Katherine Zappone', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children and Youth Affairs)'} {'name': 'Aodhán Ó Ríordáin', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 3 more

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs